First thing to do is learn how to use the 700/900 FAQ's and the site somewhat finicky search function. There have only been on or two "new" problems on this site in the many years I have been receiving advice.


So my short primer:

Do a fusebox service and never assume a fuse is "good" by looking at it in the fuse holder...odds are you will wrong at the worst possible time.

Get strategic spares from the local PnP or ebay or members on this site, put them in your car and run for at least two weeks to verify their "known good" status...we have already had two rounds of parts that were dead out of the box. Your list should include at the minimum an AMM and a fuel pump relay..in the case of a 1988, a spare distributor might be wise

If yours is an automatic, make the sure there is no chance that tranny cooler is letting coolant into the transmission. If the Radiator is branded "Blackstone" it is likely past its useful life. Nothing kills and AW7X tranny but coolant contamination.

Resolder all the relays you can find.

Thoroughly check the alternator ground wire.

Never assume a component is failed in a Volvo just because it is not working right this minute...more often that not is seems the part or its electrical connections need cleaning.